Thoughts and musings of an idle mind

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on." William Shakespeare

Once or twice a week I sit down to browse a collection of blogs and online journals to see what other members in the SCA are up to, here and abroad, costumers, calligraphers, woodworkers, researchers and philosophers.  Every other time somebody will contemplate an issue, a problem, an experience made at an SCA function that gives insight into inter-Kingdom anthropologies and cultural differences of this game we play. Sometimes these issues sound ridiculously strange, sometimes they hit very very close to home. And while it is generally comforting that there are some aspects that happen everywhere giving our worldwide hobby a constant, a common base line, it is very disturbing when a complaint reveals itself as a society-wide occurrence.

"Is the interest in the SCA waning?" is the latest poll I stumbled upon and the answers are alarmingly homogeneous, from East to West  and in between.  The weak economy coupled with rising gas prices is given as one of the main reasons for this trend but I found the collection of "Other" influences much more interesting and thought-provoking

- politics
- burn out
- clique-ish behavior
- old boys club 

and so on, and so on. And you know what? I'm not buying it. Now before you start ranting at me for that keep in mind these are -my- musings, and none other but -mine-. I'm not saying I'm right (although I think I am *G*) and I'm not going to hit you if you don't believe me. Continue to read at your own free will and speed. Take it or leave it, use it as food for your own thoughts or simply shrug it off for all I care, but I felt I had to try and write down my thoughts on the matter.

"Politics". The establishing of a social pecking order, the favoring of those that make us look good or help us stay in favor, the moves and decisions you make to remain with the in-crowd, to simply belong, vying for the attention of the cool people - they happen whenever a group of people get together, whether it's a weight support group, a rabbit breeder association, a gardening club, the SCA. Sometimes these social shenanigans can get out of hand, sometimes you find yourself in the midst of it and sometimes they do leave a bad taste in your mouth. Can politics lead to burn out? To a waning in interest in the SCA (or any other club)?

They sure can and certainly do BUT only when there is nothing to fall back on.

If there is nothing than an air mattress smelling of obnoxious plastic waiting for you in a stifling hot tent or a moldy cabin, nothing waiting for you but a creaking squad chair and conversations about rising gas prices, the last car repair, the laundry at home when you flee from yet another uninspiring meeting that leaves you grumbling over yet more rules to follow and another form to fill out, then yes, politics will make you leave.

It's not the politics and squabbling between members that are the cause. It's the lack of anything but that that makes leaving, and not staying, an easy option.

In the past I've had rough stretches of time in the SCA. I've had my fair share of unpleasant moments and experiences and I've been teetering on the edge of leaving for good. No matter how disenchanted I was at any of those times, however, I always had my magic moments as I call them to fall back on, to remind me of the wonders of the SCA. I know there is that beautiful dream alive out there filled with banners fluttering lightly in the first breeze of the morning. I have seen the mist rising over medieval tents sparkling with morning dew. I've gone into the forest to collect firewood when all was still silent only to tease the sleepy heads from their comfortable cots with the first smell of pancakes and (not so medieval) coffee prepared over the camp fire. Goosebumps ran down my arms listening to tales of battles and chivalrous deeds and my memory is still ringing with the laughter over racy filk and sweet tunes sang to the crackling of a glorious fire.

I don't like that "The dream" talk, but I do encourage everyone to dream. No, not the dream that makes you obediently attend meetings and file your report. That is not the dream part of our game, that's just the organizational effort necessary so we have room to dream. Sadly, this part is taking over our game, bit by bit, step by step, one uncovered cooler, plastic chair, mundane dress, paperplate at a time.

Celebrate the romance of the Middle Ages!
Create! Teach! Learn!
Sing and dance!

Return to the roots of the dream and dream once more of noble lords and ladies, of banners, pennons and gonfalons, of clashing swords, flashing blades and whirring arrows, of breaking lances and many colorful artisans, of the glory of your kingdom and the grace of your King and Queen.

Make more than just an attempt. Give it your all and everything to give this dream substance and sustenance.

How, you may ask?
Do not allow our modern lives to creep into our medieval dream world. Within your means support the dream, from your wardrobe to your composure, from the cover over your cooler to the hat on your head. Each little step toward the magic realm of the dream counts.  The fewer modern things are around to distract us from where we want to be, the more you are contributing to the dream and the more you are helping weave the magic that makes the SCA this great hobby.

"I don't have the money/knowledge/time/skil ls/etc !"
Nothing happens over night. Take your time and progress in small steps. Nobody expects you to appear with a fully accurate encampment, wardrobe and other accoutrements within a week. That is the beauty of the SCA. Start simple and improve your kit over time, one babystep after babystep. The more you learn, the more you can contribute. Even "peri-oid" is better than modern!

Everybody loves to quote how the SCA started as a medieval party that hasn't ended yet but frankly, I believe we have forgotten how to celebrate the Middle Ages.

It's about time we remember.